The Montgomery County Public Health District confirmed the first case of West Nile virus in Montgomery County Wednesday morning.

Officials confirmed a man in his early 70s in north Montgomery County was infected with the virus, but did not provide information about where the virus was contracted.

The case is the first incident of a mosquito-borne virus in the county this year. In 2015 there were 16 cases of West Nile confirmed countywide. There have been 47 West Nile cases in Texas this year—the most in the nation—according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Officials said residents can avoid contracting mosquito-borne illnesses such as the West Nile or Zika viruses by using insect repellants and wearing long sleeved shirts, pants and socks when outdoors. No cases of the Zika virus have been confirmed in Montgomery County this year.

"With the first case of West Nile virus reported this season, it's time for the public to stay on the alert and take steps to protect themselves from the risks of disease borne by mosquitoes," Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal said.

County commissioners employ a variety of mosquito control tools, such as trapping, testing and spraying to keep the mosquito population low, Precinct 1 Commissioner Mike Meador said.

“We have been spraying for mosquitos for a few months now, we spray for mosquitos every year during the summer,” Meador said. “I am a mosquito magnet myself and I tell people we can’t kill them all. [Residents] need to protect themselves from mosquitoes as well. People just have to be careful.”

Residents who develop any symptoms are encouraged to contact local health care providers immediately, officials said. Symptoms can develop between three to 14 days after being bitten, and can include fever, headache, body aches and nausea.

For more information about West Nile or other mosquito-borne illnesses, visit www.cdc.gov.